Foods Archives - InspiringKitchen.com

Rumi Spice Saffron Risotto – Learning about the origination of Rumi Spice, it’s founders and how to harvest and use saffron in recipes like Saffron Risotto.

When you hear that a spice company was created by 4 military officers with Harvard and West Point backgrounds, what would you imagine the product is? If I told you that the company, Rumi Spice, works with Afghan farmers to bring the highest quality saffron to us, would you realize that their mission is to cultivate peace in Afghanistan? You would be right if you said yes.I had the distinct pleasure of being invited to a dinner held at The Blanchard Restaurant in Chicago to learn about the company’s origination and more specifically how to use saffron in your dishes.… Read more

As Labor Day approaches, it may cross your mind that summery cold drinks are no longer as welcome as hot beverages. But that is so not true! The calendar may say one thing but the warm weather tells us another. If you like tea as much as I do, then you are going to enjoy these popsicles with a more unique flavor profile.

You may be familiar with Tetley teas since they have been around for more than 170 years. Originating in England, the company grows tea in over 35 different countries around the world. They have an Iced Tea Blend that makes not only a refreshing glass of ice tea but also works beautifully in these Very Berry Iced Tea Popsicles.

This recipe is a real mix of fresh summer fruits like raspberries and blueberries and the juiciest of lemons. Everyone knows of that famous golfer (Arnold Palmer) and his namesake iced tea and lemonade blend.… Read more

It may be the end of August but vegetables are still fresh and crisp making for the ideal salad on these warm days. Creating new versions every day can be challenging but not when you have flavorful salad dressings from Litehouse brands. If you are from Idaho, you may have heard of the Hawkins family who owned the Hurschell’s Lighthouse restaurant more than 50 years ago. Since then, their Litehouse salad dressings have won over both adults and kids nationwide with their robust taste and multitude of uses.

Litehouse dressings are found in the refrigerated section of your grocery stores. Each variety is in a glass bottle, keeping the dressing cold and ultra fresh tasting.… Read more

As anyone who pays attention to the weather knows, winter in Chicago means one of hibernation. But summertime is another story. We are outdoors. Every day, if possible. One of the many reasons to love living in a city like Chicago are the vast assortment of summer festivals. Chicago has an abundance of them throughout the summer whether food, sports, art or music. No matter where you live, you will find one near you. In its fourth year, one of the most recent food festivals to pop up is Windy City Smokeout.

With the 23 Country music bands playing over the course of the weekend, attendees had the opportunity to listen to their favorites throughout the festival.… Read more

To this day, whenever someone asks you to get ice cream, does the ice cream jingle automatically start playing in your head? You know, the one that goes: “I scream, you scream, we all scream for ice cream!” I had never put much thought into why I think about that jingle or when I started reciting it until my friend must have finally heard it enough to ask me why. It got me thinking… after a few good reminiscing minutes, I proposed this question to my friend:

When you were a kid and you heard that beloved ice cream truck song, what did you do?… Read more

The word “profile” can have a multitude of implications. Its use extends from someone’s Facebook page to food’s specific taste and all the way to the signature of a suspect being tracked by the stars of Criminal Minds. Despite the various applications of the word, they all have the same purpose: to describe something unique and particular. My use of the word “profile” is strictly in terms of food – more specifically, the flavor profiles of olive oil.

Walking into a grocery store and seeing the vast number of bottles of olive oil on the shelves may be overwhelming. The following information is intended to clarify how to best interpret the labels on each bottle.… Read more

“Summer, fun and food” could only mean Taste of Chicago, the world’s largest free food and music festival held in Grant Park along the gorgeous lakefront. 69 restaurants including food trucks and pop-up restaurants from across Chicagoland offered their signature dishes in full size and Taste portions. The Petrillo Music Shell hosting musical artists The Roots, Kongos, The Decemberists, Billy Idol and The Isley Brothers each evening of the fest.

As the culinary scene expands so do the diverse items being offered. You will find everything from classic food festival items, ethnic cuisine, sweet treats and gourmet choices.

When you bring together a vast group of restaurant, hospitality and foodservice people, you will undoubtedly see a passion for the industry and the opportunity to learn something. This experience took place recently at the 2016 National Restaurant and BAR (Beverage Alcohol for Restaurants) show held at McCormick Place in Chicago.

The NRA Show increased in size from last year without question from an exhibitor and registrant perspective. There were more than 67.000 registrants from around the world in attendance. While this show is not designed for consumers to attend, the outcome of what is learned and shared at this show plays a role in what we encounter when visiting restaurants and utilizing food service locations.… Read more

Did you make a resolution to eat healthy this year? So many of us try to make smart decisions when it comes to food choices but it can get so confusing. We know that salmon is good for us but heard that it is being overfished and thus potentially declining in availability.

For that reason alone, I was intrigued to learn about a brand of salmon that is producing a delicious, nutritious and sustainable salmon. We know a number of things about salmon in general. Being low in calories and saturated fats while also containing high levels of protein and omega-3 fatty acids, salmon is considered extremely nutritious.… Read more

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Looking for a healthy snack? Have you ever tried puffed millet? I just discovered these delicious and good for you treats made from a just launched brand called Tea Squares. They come in three flavors: Acai Blueberry Tea, Citrus Green Tea Matcha and Madagascar Vanilla. They are made with almonds, pepitas, fruits and other ingredients along with the tea. So good. They are in Whole Foods already or check their website. #teasquares #tea #snacks #healthysnacks #vegetarian #inspiringkitchen @ Chicago, Illinois

You can not tell from this picture how many delicious ingredients are in this salad from Pizzeria Bebu but it was so good. This Little Gem salad is made with fava beans, English peas, pecorino, pistachios, and topped with a Meyer lemon vinaigrette. Loved it. Light and flavorful. Perfect spring or summer salad as a meal or as a side with pizza. This new restaurant is doing very creative things. Go check them out. Good wine list too. #pizzeriabebu #salad #littlegem #favabeans #englishpeas #pistachio #inspiringkitchen

Maggiano's is now serving brunch! Like these lemony ricotta pancakes with blueberries that are light and flavorful. Grab your friends, order some coffee (or Italian Bloody Mary's) and some of the wonderful brunch dishes and start your day off right! #Maggbrunch #Pancakes #brunch #maggianos #inspiringkitchen @ Maggiano's Little Italy Clark & Grand

If you are a homemade caramel lover, try Becky's Blissful Bakery caramels. She offers Dark Chocolate Sea Salt, Beer and Pretzel, Salted Whiskey Caramels and Cold Brew Caramels. Just the right amount of sweetness and chewiness in each bite. Check them out on beckysblissfulbakery.com. #caramels #homemadecandy #candy #inspiringkitchen

If you have ever had a dish that literally makes you stop talking and just savor the bite then you will understand why I loved this pizza. Newly opened Pizzeria Bebu with their gas heated brick ovens created this masterpiece of a pizza. Called the Ode to Rubirosa and made with vodka sauce, nutless pesto, and fresh mozzarella, you too will be speechless on your first bite. The just chewy and crispy crust balances out the sauce, cheese and pesto perfectly. This is no ordinary pizza joint. Their wine pairings are spot on. Like the Bernard Moreau Passetoutgrains. Check out my insta stories for more of the types of pizza they offer. We had 6 different kinds! Some meat and some vegetarian. A perfect place to hang out with friends or carry out if more convenient. But a must visit! #pizzeriabebu #feedmepizza #inspiringkitchen

How yummy do these colorful cupcakes look? Spring colors for our table. I'm partial to that purple one in the corner. Thanks, Sweet Mandy B, for the treats. If you are looking for beautiful cakes and cookies, check them out. Your family and guests will thank you! #cupcakes #sweetmandybs #inspiringkitchen